Payload to the Moon

The British Interplanetary Society is a group of 100-odd enthusiasts who think a voyage to the moon by rocket-ship could be undertaken right away, if the necessary funds (about $1,250,000) were forthcoming. U. S. rocketeers, a more conservative crowd than their fellow dreamers across the sea, had their hair raised last week when they read, in the latest B. I. S. Journal, an article entitled "The Payload on the Lunar Trip." This juicily detailed the equipment to be taken on the first lunar voyage, sounded as though the takeoff were scheduled for next week. Excerpts:

"It will not be possible ... to carry water for washing purposes or razors. Smoking, also, will be most strictly prohibited, for every cubic inch of oxygen will be needed for human consumption. It can be seen that those who undertake the journey will in addition to a variety of hazards be subject to severe privations. Neither will it be necessary to take along any form of arms for in the unlikely event of there being inimical life on our satellite it is not probable that it would be of a type that would be seriously affected by [firearms]. . .

"Air and water will be taken in the combined form of hydrogen peroxide, one molecule of which can be very readily split up into one molecule of water and half a molecule of oxygen. . . . Water will of course be the basis of all beverages, chief amongst which will be cocoa, though a small amount of coffee might be necessary as a stimulant for navigators falling asleep over their interminable calculations. It is debatable whether some alcoholic beverage should be permitted to celebrate the landing on the moon but there will in any case be a small amount in the medicine chest.

"Culinary processes will be carried out in one electrically heated vessel of some light alloy which will serve as a saucepan for boiling water and frying pan for cooking any meat permitted. Each astronaut will be allowed one cup (but no saucer), one plate and one spoon, and a knife and fork might also be taken to be passed around from hand to hand. . . .

"Sanitation of the ship will be accomplished through the medium of an air-lock in which refuse will be deposited. Upon removing the outer cover the air remaining in the lock will drive the refuse away from the ship. . . .

"One pack of lightweight cards will while away any tedious hours of the journey. . . . Handkerchiefs . . . will obviously be required although every effort will be made to avoid colds. . . ."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.